Foldable pinless stretcher



' Nov. 12, 1935. R. J. ASTON FOLDABLE PI'NLESS STRETCHER Filed Oct. 9, 193

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FOLDABLE PINLES S STRETCHER Filea Oct. 9, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 24 /6' 2/ INVENTOR v WITNESS: ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 12, 1935 STAT The invention relates to a foldable pinless stretcher and more particularly to an adjustable stretching frame for curtains or other articles or materials to be stretched.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of a stretcher of this character, wherein the main frame is readily foldable when not in use, so that it can be stored within the least possible space, which also permits the same to be carried from point to point in a convenient man'- ner, and upon this frame are carried clamps, these being adjustable and releasable so that the work to be stretched can be conveniently placed therein or removed at will and thus on the placing of such clamps upon the frame the material can be rendered smooth and stretched to the desired degree. I

Anotherobject of the invention is the provision of a stretcher of this character, wherein the material or article to be stretched can be firmly and securely held without in the least marring such material or article and without the use of pins, which frequently damage or mar the material or article when upon a stretching frame, the stretcher being susceptible of a wide range of adjustment to accommodate material or articles of varying sizes.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a stretcher of this character which is extremely simple in its construction, thoroughly reliable and efficient in its purpose, novel in construction, light in weight, yet strong, durable, and inexpensive to manufacture.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter more fully described in detail, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which disclose the preferred embodiment of the invention, and pointed out in the claims hereunto appended.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a stretcher constructed in accordance with the invention, showing an article held thereby. I

Figure 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of a table top, showing the clamp for the material or article to be stretched engaged therewith for subsequent attachment to the frame of the stretcher.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the stretcher frame showing the clamp holding pieces in open position.

Figure 4jis a fragmentary vertical longitudinal sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view through the stretcher when folded for non-use.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views in the drawings. 5

Referring to the drawings in detail, A designates generally the main framed the stretcher, it including the pair of open frame sections it and H, respectively, these at adjacent meeting ends l2 being swingingly connected by hinges it no so that said sections can be folded one upon the other for the storage of the stretcher, when not in use, in the least possible space.

The opposite side members it of the sections Hi and I l carry clamping pieces t5, the side meml5 bers it being cut away intermediate of the ends of the sections to accommodate-said pieces l5 and such pieces at their outermost ends are swingingly connected to the companion sections of the frame A by winged nut-carrying bolts it, while the inner ends of these pieces are preferably provided with notches ll opening through the inner faces thereof for the releasable reception of winged nut-carrying bolts i8 carried by the sections til and H of the frame A. At the top edges of the pieces l5 matching the notches H are bearing plates it for the nuts Zil-of the bolts it so as to prevent the wearing of these pieces on detachably securing said pieces aligned with the side members it of the frame A, the purpose of the pieces 85 being hereinafter fully described.

Separably carried by the sections it and H of the frame are clamp carrying cross pieces 2!, each in the form of spaced bars, having secured at their top sides on opposite ends thereof bearing plates 22, these being adapted to overlap the side members M of the frame A and bridged by the pieces l5 so as to secure the said bars 28 upon the frame and in the selected adjusted relation to each other.

Each cross piece has approximately central thereof a longitudinally disposed space 23 into which may be tucked or threaded fringe or other edging to an article or piece of material to be stretched, while arranged at intervals on the bar 2| at one side of the space 23 therein are fixed or stationary bolts 24 received in a series of slotted clamping blocks 25, these being provided with elongated slots 26 accommodating the bolts 24 and allowing for a determined range of adjustment of said blocks, the bolts being fitted with winged nuts 21, and by tightening the blocks upon the bar 2|, a piece of material can be attached thereto, these bars 2| being attached at opposite ends of the piece of material or article to be stretched and, as is apparent from Figure 2 of the drawings, the said bars 2| can be attached when laid upon a table top 28 for convenience in so doing. Thereafter, the bars 2| attached to the piece of material or article 29 are placed upon the frame l3 and pulled apart the desired degree for thestretching of the piece of material or article 29 and thereafter made fast by the pieces l5 hereinbefore described.

One of the end pieces I2 is provided with a longitudinally disposed slot 30 for accommodating bolts 3| carrying winged nuts 32, these adjustably fastening clamping blocks 33 in place so that they can be engaged with the longitudinal edges of the piece of material or article 29 intermediate of its attached ends to hold the same flat and smooth, as is clearly apparent in Figure 1 -of the drawings.

The ends l2 at their uppermost faces and likewise the bars 2| are provided with lineal scales 34 for measuring purposes of the piece of material or article 29 as placed upon the stretcher, so that the original measurements of such piece of material or article 29 can be retained in the stretching action by the stretcher in its use.

The section II) and section II of the frame A are latched by hooks 35 to hold the same unfolded and in a folded condition in the same plane with each other when the stretcher is in use.

From the foregoing it is thought that the construction and manner of operation of the stretcher 5 will be clearly understood and, therefore, a more extended explanation has been omitted.

What is claimed is:

1. A stretcher of the character described comprising an open frame, cross bars fitted with the 10 frame for longitudinal adjustment thereon and separable therefrom, retaining pieces carried by the frame and securing the cross bars thereon, clamping blocks adjustably carried by the cross bars, bars intermediate of same frame and dis- 15 posed crosswise thereof, and adjustable clamping blocks on one of said intermediate bars.

2. In a stretcher of the character described, a sectional foldable frame, cross bars separably and adjustably carried by said frame on the respecg tive sections thereof, retaining pieces swingingly carried by the frame and securing the cross bars thereto, means for latching the retaining pieces in securing position for the cross bars, and clamping blocks adjustably carried by the cross bars.

ROBERT J. ASTON. 

